A Crucial Off-Season for the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons were one play away from heading to their first Super Bowl since 1998 but, the team scuffled yet again this postseason and changes are coming.

Michael Turner has brought plenty of production to the Falcons in his five year tenure as he has led the NFLin attempts twice and has averaged 4.3 Yard per Carry with the club. Reaching an escalator in his contract Turner is set to make $6.9M in 2013 and the Falcons would be wise to sever ties completely before shelling out that kind of money.

Letting the soon to be 31-year-old go will open up cap space and give the full-time duties to Jacquizz Rodgers who emerged as offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter‘s favorite anyway.

Furthermore, the Falcons issues still lie in the trenches where both the offensive and defensive lines need to play better–both are getting up there in age and need to be revamped if they hope to make waves in 2013.

With the No. 30 pick in this Spring’s NFL Draft the Falcons will have to make a decision whether to go offensive or defensive line as I believe their perimeter players are some of the best in the entire league. However, with Tony Gonzalez rumored to be 95 percent sure that he will not be playing in 2013 it may be wise for the team to make a play on a Tight End in the first round.

Although the Falcons steamrolled to a 13-3 record in 2012 changes will be coming on the offensive front in 2013 and in order to compete with the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneersthey must make the effort to improve in the trenches this summer.